A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews and story/author alert subscriptions! It means more than you'll ever know!

This chapter contains an original character I created named Antonia. She was originally introduced in my first story In the Beginning. If you haven't read that one, just know that she's Jane's favorite cousin. =) (And then direct that mouse over to my other story! I'm needy.)

Chapter Seven

Jane was sitting in a coffee shop Thursday afternoon while she waited for Antonia. The small woman with the big personality came in and quickly found her cousin in a corner booth.

"Uh-oh… what's wrong now?" Antonia asked as she sat down.

"What… how do you always know when something's wrong?" Jane looked at Antonia in disbelief.

"You always fiddle with labels on your drinks when you're deep in thought or something's bugging you… so… what's bugging you? And why didn't you pick up when I called you this morning? I almost forgot where we were supposed to meet up."

"My cell phone had an unfortunate encounter with my living room wall…" Jane laughed sheepishly at her own temper.

"Sure… and how would I have ever figured out there was something wrong?" Antonia rolled her eyes.

Jane caught Antonia up on all that had happened with Maura over the last week through to last night over several cups of coffee. While Jane had never come out officially to anyone, she felt the family knew or at least suspected and that if there was anyone that she could just glide into conversation with about it, it would be with Antonia.

"…I don't like feeling this way, Antonia. I thought I had Maura figured out, but this… this is too much." Jane had hardly looked up through her entire tirade. She was flushed and running her hands over her brows and through her hair. If Antonia didn't know her cousin better she would have interpreted the conversation to imply that Maura was playing some game with Jane. Antonia sat back in the booth and thought for a moment before beginning.

"Jane Rizzoli. You are my favorite cousin… so I know you won't be offended when I tell you that you are a complete mess… full of shit… and a bit of a jerk when you're feeling defensive… don't interrupt… you need to hear this." Antonia put up her hand to silence Jane. She wasn't much older than Jane, and she certainly wasn't physically intimidating, but something about the look in her eye told Jane she had better keep her mouth shut. Jane had her opportunity to speak, and now it was time to listen.

"Dr. Maura Isles is quite possibly the best thing that has ever happened to you. I don't care if you stay just friends or get married one day… don't look so shocked. You know your mother is going to make sure you're married before she dies.

"Anyway, Maura is the best thing that has ever happened to you. You're so happy now that she's in your life. She's good for you… makes you try things you never would have before. How many times have I tried to get you to do yoga with me? Case in point right there… not to mention being on team P.U.K.E.

"Like I said, I don't care what your relationship is, but I'm telling you right now you had better find a way to fix this. You need to grow a set and tell her how you feel. I see how you two look at each other. It's like no one else in the world exists. You went to more trouble the other night over her than you have for anyone your whole life. Don't ignore that gut of yours. It has never steered you wrong before. You've got to get out of your own head and quit living through fear."

Jane stared at her cousin who had started to point at her with her index finger halfway through her lecture. She was wishing for the old times of being told everything would be okay and not to worry too much about anything.

"And besides," Antonia continued, "Maura's raved about my food to everyone she meets and has told all of her business associates about me. Business is up at least thirty percent since you brought her to my restaurant last year. I can't afford for her to be mad at you."

Jane laughed. It was all that she could do given her circumstances. She knew that jealousy was a problem for her… as well as sarcasm… and her temper.

"Oh… well if I can do anything for you, especially after you just yelled at me..." Jane laughed a little again and mocked a bow to her cousin. She looked at her watch, "I've gotta go… I still have some things to finish up this afternoon before going home."

Jane wasn't dismissing her cousin; she had heard her loud and clear but now she needed some time to process it all. Jane hugged Antonia, settled the check, and almost knocked Frankie over as he came rushing into the diner.

"Frankie… jeeze… what are you doing here?" Jane asked brushing off the coffee that spilled onto her shirt.

"Why haven't you picked up your phone? We've got a problem. It's Maura."


Frankie brought Jane up to speed with what little he knew as they drove back to Jane's apartment. He had to yell to be heard over her barrage of questions.

"I don't know what's going on, Janie. After not being able to get a hold of you, Maura convinced one of the officers to call the station. Frost took the call and called me after he couldn't get you. Korsak and he are going to cover for ya… I'll drive you to the airport. It sounds bad though… got her in lockup. Not giving her any leeway for being our M.E. Sounds like they're being real assholes because of it even. Korsak says he has a buddy out there though; he was trying to get through to him the last I heard."

Frankie had the lights on all the way to the airport and barely missed some pedestrians as he pulled up to the curb. Jane had become eerily silent since leaving her apartment. She was gnawing on her thumb and rocking back and forth a bit. She was worried; there was no skirting around it, and for the second time today she sat in silence while questions rattled around in her head.

"Take my cell. Here's your ticket. Your flight leaves in twenty but I called Washington who's working the airport today; he's going to get you through in time."

"Thanks, little brother." Jane got out of the car and then leaned back in through the open passenger window. "Remind me to ask you later when you became such a grown up…"

Frankie smiled at his sister. "Just bring her back home, Janie. Eh?"